The Topeka School by Ben Lerner

The Topeka School by Ben Lerner is a novel exploring the complexities of contemporary America. It follows the story of Adam, a Jewish high school student living in Topeka, Kansas. He is trying to make sense of his place in his family and in his community, while also coming to terms with his conservative political beliefs. Through Adam's eyes, Lerner examines the divide between liberal and conservative views, and the impact this has on the landscape of the American family.

Adam Gordon is a senior in high school, and is the son of high profile psychologists. His parents, Jonathan and Jane, founded a non-profit parenting institute called The Foundation, whose mission is to promote healthy childhoods for all children, particularly those from minority backgrounds. Adam strives for excellence in himself, often to the annoyance of his circle of teenage friends. When he is accepted to an academic competition, he sets off on a journey of self-discovery, uncovering uncomfortable truths about the family dynamics of his seemingly perfect home life.

Through Adam, we examine the dissension between his liberal parents and his conservative views, and how this affects the family’s relationships with the members of their diverse community. Adam’s view of the world is mostly framed through his encounters at a local debate club, The Topeka School. It is there he meets Whit and his accomplice, Hap, and is exposed to a plethora of challenging ideas.

Adam’s mother and father are content to bring change on a personal level, but not through political or grassroots activism. Adam, instead, begins to explore the possibility of a movement of young people embracing conservative values and challenging the status quo on their own terms. This culminates in a powerful speech he delivers at a school assembly, which ignites a debate over the line between freedom and order in the national dialogue.

The novel artfully illustrates the importance of meaningful dialogue in addressing contemporary issues, and how it can bridge the divide between conservative and liberal ideals. The novel also looks at mental health, religion, race and identity, and how each of these influence the way we understand ourselves and our world. It offers an unflinching look at the difficulties of growing up in “the land of the free”, and the need for compromise and understanding in order to move forward.

The Topeka School is a complex meditation on the state of America, and an ambitious look at the power of individuals to shape their communities through meaningful dialogue and collaboration. The novel examines the intersections between conservative beliefs and liberal values while remaining open to change. Through its exploration of identity, politics and family dynamics, it offers a compassionate and thought-provoking reflection on the state of the nation.